Mistletoe

Oklahoma State Floral Emblem

Mistletoe; the official floral emblem of Oklahoma. Photo by Doug McAbee/Flickr(Noncommercial Use Permitted with Attribution).

Official State Floral Emblem of Oklahoma

Oklahoma designates mistletoe (phoradendron serotinum) as the official state floral emblem. Mistletoe is the oldest of Oklahoma's symbols (adopted in 1893 as the official territorial flower - 14 years before statehood). Oklahoma also recognizes a state flower (adopted in 2004) and a state wildflower (adopted in 1986). All State Flowers

Mistletoe grows on trees throughout the state and is particularly common in the southern regions of Oklahoma. The dark green leaves and white berries show up brightly during the fall and winter in deciduous trees that have shed their own leaves.

Mistletoe is a parasitic plant that taps into a host tree's transport system for minerals and water (mistletoe is an evergreen and also performs photosynthesis on its own).